conflict of interest

is a set of circumstances that creates a substantial risk that professional judgment or actions regarding a primary interest will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest.

he adopts the definition of conflict of interest the IOM adopts. Dana defines conflict of interest as 'a set of circumstances that creates a substantial risk that professional judgment or actions regarding a primary interest will be unduly influenced by a secondary interest'5 (D-1). That definition at least suggests that the effect of the secondary interest is all in one direction ('unduly influenced').6 The Report's summary distinguishes primary from secondary interests in a way confirming that suggestion: Primary interests include promoting and protecting the integrity of research, the quality of medical educatio11, and the welfare of patients. Secondary interests include not only financial interests the focus of this

is not mere bias. It is a situation in which a person is in a relationship with another requiring the exercise of judgement in the other's behalf and that person has a (special) interest tending to interfere with the proper exercise of such judgement.

I therefore suggest adopting the definition of conflict of interest (more or less) standard outside medicine: A person has a conflict of interest if, and only if, that person is in a relationship with another requiring the exercise of judgement in the other's behalf and that person has a (special) interest tending to interfere with the proper exercise of such judgement.

conflict of interest, n.All

conflict of interest